The Book of Mu is Now Available!

“Does a dog have Buddha nature?”


THE BOOK OF MU

Essential Writings on Zen’s Most Important Koan

James Ishmael Ford, Editor
Melissa Myozen Blacker, Editor

The word “mu” is one ancient Zen teacher’s response to the earnest question of whether even a dog has “buddha nature”—and discovering for ourselves the meaning of the master’s response is the urgent work of each of us who yearns to be free and at peace. “Practicing Mu” is synonymous with practicing Zen, “sitting with Mu” is an apt description for all Zen meditation, and it is said that all the thousands and thousands of koans in the Zen tradition are really just further elaborations of Mu.

This watershed volume brings together over forty teachers, ancient and modern masters from across centuries and the full spectrum of the Zen world, to illuminate and clarify the essential matter: the question of how to be most truly ourselves.

Includes writings from ancient masters like: Dogen * Hakuin * Dahui

And modern masters like Thich Thien-An * Zenkei Shibayama * Seung Sahn * Taizan Maezumi * Sheng Yen * Philip Kapleau * Robert Aitken * Jan Chozen Bays * Shodo Harada * Grace Schireson * John Daido Loori * John Tarrant * Barry Magid * Rachael Mansfield-Howlett * Joan Sutherland

…and many more!

Praise & Reviews


“This book brings us eyebrow-to-eyebrow with an unprecedentedly rich convocation of masters.” —Franz Metcalf, author of What Would Buddha Do?


“Words come alive in this wonderful collection, filled with laughter, tears, and wisdom.” —Mark Unno, author of Shingon Refractions


“The most important of all koans finally gets the attention it deserves. For those considering koan study, or just curious about this unique spiritual practice, this is a very valuable book.” —David R. Loy, author of Money, Sex, War, Karma and The World Is Made of Stories


“A delightful book based on a delightful idea— and a must-read for anyone interested in Zen.” —Mu Soeng, author of The Heart of the Universe


“A tremendous book, subtle and beautiful, whose power creeps up on you in the midst of reading it.” —Deborah Schoeberlein, author of Mindful Teaching and Teaching Mindfulness


“A thorough and wide-ranging look at the mother of all koans and a first-rate introduction to koans in general.” —Scott Edelstein, author of Sex and the Spiritual Teacher


“This book sets you wandering in uncharted territories of surprise and sudden freedom. If you dare risk the uncertainty of travel into the unknown, this is the book for you.” —Lin Jensen, author of Deep Down Things


“Useful, insightful, and lovely!” —Rafe Martin, author of The Banyan Deer


“Highly recommended.” —Noah Levine, author of Heart of the Revolution


“A book that people will want to read and return to again and again.” —Jeremy D. Safran, editor of Psychoanalysis and Buddhism


“Sure to inspire many Zen students and practitioners.” —Buddhadharma


“Like a love affair, the koan Mu will tear you open, if you let it. This book of caring, meticulous essays is a gentle shepherd, escorting both initiated and uninitiated readers to where we can hear Zen’s great monosyllable beginning to resound on its own.” —Kate Wheeler, editor of Nixon Under the Bodhi Tree and Other Works of Buddhist Fiction

About the Editors:

JAMES ISHMAEL FORD is a senior guiding teacher of Boundless Way Zen. James has been a student of Zen Buddhism for over forty years. He is also a senior Unitarian Universalist minister serving at the First Unitarian Church of Providence and a member of both the American Zen Teachers Association and the Soto Zen Buddhist Association. He lives outside Providence.

MELISSA MYOZEN BLACKER is a Dharma successor to James Ishmael Ford. She is a co-founder of Boundless Way Zen, which she currently serves as a senior guiding teacher. She is also the associate director of the Stress Reduction Clinic and a director of professional training at the Center for Mindfulness, University of Massachusetts Medical School. She is resident at Mugendo-ji, the Boundless Way Temple in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The Book of MU
Essential Writings on Zen’s Most Important Koan
James Ishmael Ford, Editor

List Price:$ 17.95
Available directly from Wisdom at: $14.36 (20%off)
Pages: 342 pages
Size: 6 X 9 inches
Binding: Trade paper
ISBN: 0-86171-643-4

Soon to be found in your better bookstores, but can be purchased today at Wisdom Publications or Amazon. If you do read it and are then willing to provide a review at Amazon, I’d appreciate it (I’d appreciate it even more if the review is favorable…)